Jean Darling, a legendary actress who began working in the then-fledgling industry all the way back in 1926 (!), has passed away at the age of 93.
Darling, who starred in the silent comedy series Our Gang as a cute little blonde girl also named Jean, died on Friday, September 4.
She passed away in a nursing facility in Germany, her son, Roy Bowen, said.
Jean was one of the last living actors who worked during the silent film era.
Darling began her career at age 4 in 1926, but quit just as sound was starting to be introduced to films (a trend that clearly worked out).
She participated in six “talkies” with the series before her exit, however.
She appeared in other films, including Saturday’s Lesson in 1929 and Jane Eyre in 1934, before moving on to stage productions.
Darling made her Broadway debut in the 1942 musical Count Me In, and performed in 850 consecutive shows of Carousel (1945).
Her final role was Lady Cavendish in 2013’s short The Butler’s Tale. She is survived by her son, Roy, and two grandsons.
